Geranium plant

ABSTRACT

A geranium of the Fiat type, characterized by its large trusses bearing large, double, pink florets.

The present discovery relates to a new and distinct geranium plant. Thenew and patentable characteristics thereof reside in its healthy growth,its continuous and exceptionally free-blooming habits, its large anddouble flowered truss, its large florets with double petalage and itsdistinctive color combination and unique foliage.

This geranium plant is a new and improved variety which has resultedfrom definite breeding programs and experiments carried on by me in mygreenhouses at 390 No. Franklin St., Holbrook, Mass. My experimentscovered the three year period from April, 1972 to April, 1975. Thebreeding experiments carried on by me were to produce new varieties ofthe "Fiat" (unpatented) type. The claimed geranium is the result ofcrossing the F. Andrea geranium plant patented by me Apr. 19, 1966, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 2,621, with an unnamed seedling, then crossing a seedlingfrom the cross-breeding and back cross-breeding with the F. Andreageranium. The claimed geranium plant is the result of one of theseback-cross seedlings.

The drawing shows the plant and flower of a fully developed geranium ofthe new variety claimed.

My new variety has the following characteristics:

THE PLANT

Growth: This new variety is a very prolific bloomer. The florets areincurved with a variable number of petals, producing a double effect.The flower "truss" head is large, and the petals last longer and areidentically associated with U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,621 giving a largedisplay. The growth is vigorous and compact and attains an averageheight of 12 to 18 inches as a pot plant.

Blooming habit: Very free and continuous bloomer in winter and summer,indoors or out. A plant in a 4 inch pot produces 2 to 3 trusses at onetime.

Inflorescense: Large, globular to somewhat flattened, compact umbel ortruss, measuring 4 to 6 inches at diameter.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Abundant

Size.--Not typical of Fiat, but large in size identical to U.S. PlantPat. 2,621.

Color.--A dark green when well grown.

Shape.--Disc to cup shaped and undulate with deeply lobed edge.

Texture.--Firm, thick, waxy, upper surface smooth; lower surfacemoderately hairy with no distinct pubescense.

Stem.--Short, strong, freely branching to produce a compact, vigorousplant.

Peduncle.--Strong, slightly pubescent. Color slightly lighter thanfoliage.

THE FLOWER

Truss:

Size.--Large, up to 6 inches in diameter.

Shape.--Compact, a flattened globe as it opens.

Number of florets.--Variable average is 20 to 25.

Lasting quality.--Excellent. Blooms remain open 10 days to 2 weeks,longer if kept dry. Doubleness and waxy petals resist petal rot.

Bud:

Size.--Approximately 1 inch in diameter.

Color.--Lavender 61 (The Royal Horticultural Society Horticultural ColorChart).

Form.--Pointed.

Florets:

Size.--Approximately 1 inch in diameter.

Petalage.--Double, variable with 5 to 12 average.

Color.--Outer petal, Rhodamine pink 527 Horticultural Color Chart; 62ARoyal Horticultural Society Color Chart. Interior petal, Rose Bengal25/2 Horticultural Color Chart; 61D The Royal Horticultural SocietyChart. Color very stable with age and does not fade.

Texture.--Very firm, waxy and glistening.

Form.--Petals are slightly serrated on the edge and overlap. When allthe florets are open, the globular truss resembles a hydrangea.

Lasting quality.--Average florets last a week and the truss up to 10days to 2 weeks.

Behavior.--The petals have a distinctly double appearance to the flowerand make the plant give a distinctly double appearance with prolifichabit.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:
 1. A new and distinctvariety of geranium plant, substantially as shown and described,characterized by its healthy growth; its continuous and exceptionallyfree blooming habits; its large and double flowered truss; its largeflorets with double petalage and distinctive color combination.